VMI and the Civil War

West Point and the Naval Academy are given credit for producing a majority of the officers that participated in the Civil War, but the lesser-known Virginia Military Institute located in the Shenandoah Valley played a key role as well.

Sarah Kay Bierle of the American Battlefield Trust details the history of the college.

[BlueEyedColonizer]

There is a film called Field of Lost shoes that does a fine job showing the bravery of these young lads.

[brucebear]

Cadet George P. Rose of Fayetteville, NC. was a student at VMI. Soon after the Battle of New Market, he was commissioned an officer in the National Confederate Army. The 66th North Carolina Regiment was formed in late 1863 by combining Nethercutt's Partisan Ranger Battalion and Wright's Battalion of Railroad Guards. There were issues in training and discipline caused by attempting to consolidate units that had been "irregular" troops so George Rose was assigned as Adjutant of the Regiment. I believe that he was the only "regular" Confederate officer in the regiment; he was known and held in high regard for his intelligence, good bearing, and military knowledge.
He joined the regiment just before 2nd Cold Harbor. With his help, the regiment was forged into an important part of Kirkland's Brigade, Hoke's Division.
George Rose wrote the history of the Regiment, including it's service in the trenches of Petersburg including the Battle of the Crater, both battles for Fort Fisher, the retreat in front of Sherman to Wyse's Forks and Bentonville, ending with its surrender at Bennett's Place.

[amosusername]

19 VMI Alumni also served in the Union Army and Union Navy. One served as a General Officer for the Union Army during the Civil War.

[IdesofMarch]

Three of the surviving VMI soldiers went on to found the fraternity Alpha Tau Omega, with chapters all over the US today. Otis Allen Glazebrook was one of them.

[lizlittle]

Thank you for sharing! I enjoy learning new things about the Civil War. This was new for me.

[SouthernGentleman]

Jewish Cadet Moses Ezekiel fought hard and brave with his fellow cadets at New Market. Later became a sculptor and artist. He moved to Rome and flew a confederate battle flag in his workshop in Rome.

“We're not fighting for the perpetuation of slavery, but for the principles of states rights and free trade, and in defense of our homes which we were ruthlessly invaded.” -VMI Jewish Cadet Moses Jacob Ezekiel

[tamiramos]

Hello, this is a random comment and placed hear because it is your most recent video as of now.
I wanted to say something but didn't see anywhere to do so on any of your recent posts. I am surprised you have not added the two different articles about the closing of Devils Den and Little Road Top at Gettysburg for "renovations." Not sure what items that are located outside could need renovated or why it has to take so long (6 months). But the big thing about it is the time frame in which it will happen - a quite busy time of the year. A time of the year when more people would rather come to the park and visit. And then following that, there will be other parts getting their own "renovation." The problem is this - what are the monuments or markers that are being rumor being removed? Has the battlefield bended to the small group that are that have the loudest mouths - for now? NONE of the markers or monuments or statues need to be taken away for any reason and I am probably not the only one that thinks this. I am ok with making things look better and to make things safe for everyone but the minute you all start changing the overall landscape and removing anything that doesn't need removing - namely Confederate markers and statues - I will not be coming back. At that point, it will be a lost cause and history as it stood will fade away. Besides, without the Confederate story and everything that has to do with it, there's no use in having the battlefield set up the way it is. Having things ONLY in the museum would make no sense. I go to Gettysburg quite often...not sure what needs renovated and what would take that long? Can someone explain. I have also heard from a decent source that its going to be more than 6 months - up to 2 years - and the removing certain monuments (hopefully for refurbishing and not for relocating), cleaning up the roads, and markers. After Remembrance Day later this year, they will be closing off from Big Round Top up to Cemetery Hill. And lastly, they are supposed to be putting a permanent fence around the Devils Den boulders. I have a bad feeling about all of this. I just feel nervous about this. Sorry this was so long.

[phillipcoram]

the battle of lost shoes, ,,, happened right down the road a bit , ,,

[derekrupert]

A beautiful battlefield…”Put in the boys and God forgive me the order.” -Breckenridge-

[tenther]

What a disgrace VMI's current form is, to such a magnificent martial heritage.

[kennkoala]

I only know about the VMI from the Shaara novels, wasn't Jackson called Commandant? And I thought they were adjacent to Richmond.

[Treklosopher]

Of course Patton's grandfather was a reb. Makes perfect sense.

[limemobber]

The VMI should have been shut down, not because former students fought in the Civil War but because at times active students fought. Anything that could be considered a proud southern institution should have been destroyed at the end of the war.

[bonanzatime]

Yes they most certainly did. .. Governor Ralph Northam did it in blackface. He's a hoot!